Ebola: Lagos calls for precautionary measures against resurgence

The government reiterated the need for members of the general public to ensure and maintain adequate personal and environmental hygiene at all times as part of precautionary measures to prevent the re-entry of the disease into the state and the country at large.The permanent secretary in the State Ministry of Health, Dr. Modele Osunkiyesi, gave […]

The government reiterated the need for members of the general public to ensure and maintain adequate personal and environmental hygiene at all times as part of precautionary measures to prevent the re-entry of the disease into the state and the country at large.
The permanent secretary in the State Ministry of Health, Dr. Modele Osunkiyesi, gave the warning in her office at Alausa, Ikeja while outlining strategies put in place by the state government at preventing the re-entry of the disease into the state.
Osunkiyesi explained that the state government,  in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Health and other stakeholders, was maintaining relevant surveillance through port health services and community surveillance activities in all local government areas.
While noting that the prevention of Ebola remains a shared responsibility by all citizens, the permanent secretary stated that although there has not been any reported case of EVD in the state or the country, there is need by residents to take responsibility for their health.
She urged residents to observe the highest possible standards of personal and environmental hygiene through regular washing of hands with soap  under running water; avoiding close contact with people who are sick; ensuring that objects used  by the sick are decontaminated and properly disposed of and avoid touching or washing of dead bodies if not trained to do so.
Osunkiyesi re-emphasised that EVD can be spread through close contact with the blood, body fluids, organs and tissues of infected animals; direct contact with the blood, body fluids, and tissues of infected persons; and handling sick or dead infected animals like monkeys and bats.
It will be recalled that Nigeria was certified free of Ebola on the 20th of October 2014 by the World Health Organisation (WHO).